unsinv.
1. transitive. To annul (a sin) by subsequent action.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > aspects of faith > spirituality > sin > [verb] > annul a sin
unsin1628
1628 O. Felltham Resolves: 2nd Cent. lxxxix. sig. Aa When a sinne is past, griefe may lessen it, but not vnsinne it.
1670 Earl of Clarendon Contempl. & Reflexions upon Psalms in Coll. Tracts (1727) 593 They who..observe the other injunction of the prophet..have unsinned their former sins.
1705 J. Dunton Life & Errors iv. 405 I can't Un-Sin the Errours of my past Life.
1868 R. Browning Ring & Bk. II. iv. 13 The proper process of unsinning sin Is to begin well-doing somehow else.
2. To free (a person) from being a sinner.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > aspects of faith > spirituality > salvation, redemption > save, redeem [verb (transitive)]
aleseOE
abyeOE
buyc1175
washc1175
winc1220
salvea1225
savec1225
forbuyc1315
ransomc1350
signc1350
again-buya1382
forechoosea1400
gain-buy1435
redeemc1438
pre-elect1561
sa'1604
electa1617
unsina1631
a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1959) V. 308 Expeccabis; and if in our language, that were a word in use, it might be translated, Thou shalt un-sin me; that is, look upon me as a man that had never sinned.
3. To maintain or prove to be no sin; to divest of the character of a sin.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > justification > justify [verb (transitive)] > exculpate > maintain or prove to be no sin
unsin1682
1682 T. Southerne Loyal Brother v. i Gifted Rogues, That..zealously, upon a fit of Conscience, Sin or Unsin Rebellion to the Croud.
1715 R. South 12 Serm. IV. 123 He who defends it [sc. a Sin], utterly denies its Guilt, and (as I may so speak) absolutely unsins it.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1926; most recently modified version published online March 2020).
<
v.1628